Gov. Buni Bags Society Of Neuroscientists Of Africa (SONA) Award

Gov. Buni Bags Society of Neuroscientists of Africa (SONA) award

…as he was also conferred with the title of (Sardauna Fune)

….Also The First African Leader to receive this distinction.

By Usman Bello, Damaturu.

His Excellency the Executive Governor of Yobe State, Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON COMN today received two outstanding honours from Fune Emirate Council and the Society of Neuroscientists of Africa (SONA).

Representatives of Fune Emirate council under the leadership of His Excellency the Deputy Governor Hon. Idi Barde Gubana (Wazirin Fune) presented Governor Buni with a letter of appointment as SARDAUNAN FUNE.

Gov. Buni commended Fune Emirate council for the honour bestowed on him and promised to execute and protect the functions of the office of Sardauna.

He charged the people of Fune Emirate to live peacefully irrespective of their ethno-cultural and political differences.

The Governor was decorated with a traditional regalia of the Sardauna symbolizing his new status in the Emirate council.

Similarly, Gov. Buni was today honoured by the Society of Neuroscientists of Africa (SONA) for his outstanding contributions to advancing science, research and innovation especially in his efforts to finding solution to kidney disease at a Conference in Marrakech, Morocco,

Gov. Buni who could not attend the occassion personally was ably represented by his Honourary Special Adviser on Science, Research and Innovation, Dr Mahmoud Bukar Maina.

The Governor was also admitted into the SONA Hall of Fame and granted Honourary Membership in recognition of his visionary investment initiatives in research and innovation, including the Biomedical Science Research and Training Centre (BioRTC) – Nigeria’s only open-access biomedical research facility, now serving as a hub for African scientists and equipped with advanced research infrastructure. With His Excellency’s support, this centre has already trained over 300 African scientists since 2022 and also partners with global institutions to drive research progress in Yobe and across Nigeria and Africa at large.

The Kidney Disease Research Project – The first of its kind in Africa to be fully funded by a state government on a single health challenge, engaging over 50 experts in the collection and analysis of more than 2,000 human and 1,000 environmental samples to address the rising burden of kidney disease in Yobe and beyond. Although this research is ongoing, it is nonetheless a monumental undertaking.

These are a few achievements out of dozens that position Yobe State as a leader in science-driven development.

His Excellency’s administration remains committed to empowering scientific institutions, fostering innovation, and using research evidence to address pressing societal challenges — from public health to education and beyond.

This international recognition is not only a tribute to His Excellency’s leadership, but also a proud moment for Yobe State and Nigeria.